Although traveling by airplane is deemed a safe method of transportation, there are additional steps you can take to put your mind at ease so you safely reach your destination. As a passenger, it’s your responsibility to follow all instructions given to you by your airline officials and security. Here are five safety guidelines to follow while preparing for your flight.
1. Listen to Your Flight Attendants
A flight attendant’s primary job is to continuously ensure passenger safety. It is important that you listen to the flight attendant when they tell you to fasten your seatbelt and turn off your electrical devices. If a flight attendant is asking you to do something, it is recommended that you immediately follow his or her instructions and ask questions later.
2. Don’t Pack Hazardous Materials
To ensure the safety of all passengers, hazardous materials are strictly prohibited. There is long list of items you can’t have in your possession when boarding an aircraft, and that generally have very obvious explanations as to why they are banned. It goes without saying that explosives and other incendiary devices are not permitted on an aircraft, as well as flammable fluids like aerosol and lighter fluid.
All types of matches are banned from the luggage you check. Strike-anywhere matches are completely banned from entering the plane, but you are permitted to have a book of safety matches on your person in the passenger cabin.
Poisons, infectious materials, corrosive materials, illegal drugs and other dangerous items are not allowed. If you are unsure if an item is safe to have on the flight, you should bring it to the attention of airline and security officials before boarding, even if you’ve already passed through airline security.
3. Choose a Larger Aircraft
Aircraft that seat more than 30 passengers at a time are all designed and certified under the strictest regulations. It has been proven that in the event of an accident, larger aircraft provide a better opportunity for passenger survival. While a serious accident is highly unlikely, it doesn’t hurt to prepare yourself for all eventualities, no matter how small the risk.
4. Pre-flight Briefing
Although it may seem repetitive, it is important to devote all of your attention to your aircraft pre-flight briefing. During the briefing, you will learn about the aircraft emergency exits and their locations, as well as the different safety positions to take in case of an emergency landing.
5. Overhead Storage Bin Safety
If you have loaded your overhead storage bin with very heavy luggage, there is a possible risk of it falling and seriously injuring you or another passenger during turbulence. If you have trouble lifting your luggage to store it in the storage bin, it is recommended that you store it in a different location on the plane. If heavy luggage is being stored over your head, request a new seat or ask to move the luggage.
As long as you follow all of the rules and safety procedure of the airline, air travel is fast, safe and fun. If you have any other questions about air safety, call the airline before the flight or ask the flight crew. They’ll be happy to address any concerns you have about staying safe while you fly.
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